The 36-year-old is in brilliant form this series, taking 17 wickets at 14.88. He leads the wicket tally by six over Ishant Sharma.

Anderson is the ICC's number one ranked Test bowler and has taken 557 wickets at 26.85 across 141 matches.

McGrath took 124 matches - and has bowled 1,817 deliveries less than Anderson - to take 563 wickets at 21.64.

"Records are nice and I've been very proud to have taken more wickets than any fast bowler in Test history, but any high is there to be beaten and I will be equally proud of Jimmy when he goes past me because the fast bowlers' union has to stick together, whichever country we come from," McGrath wrote.

The 48-year-old paid tribute to Anderson's work ethic over 15 years of international cricket, adding that he is "as good as anyone" when the ball is swinging.

"But when it isn't he comes back towards the pack a little bit," McGrath conceded.